Harvey Weinstein was given 'free rein to use his billionaire friend's hotels and clubs as hunting grounds to pursue women'

Movie mogul reportedly allowed actresses to stay at his friend's venues for free
Weinstein reportedly converted a rooftop suite at Cipriani's Mr C into a 'sex pad'
Alongside the Mr C case, he has also been accused of rape at Cipriani Upstairs

Published: 13:13 BST, 25 June 2018 | Updated: 15:42 BST, 25 June 2018

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Harvey Weinstein used properties belonging to restaurant magnate Giuseppe Cipriani as a 'hunting ground' to pursue women, it has been claimed.

The movie mogul reportedly allowed actresses to stay at his friend's venues for free - but would turn up at their rooms 'late at night and out of nowhere', sources have claimed.

Weinstein, 66, pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court earlier this month after being charged with rape and other sexual offenses.

The movie mogul (pictured with Cipriani in 2005) reportedly allowed actresses to stay at his friend's venues for free - but would turn up at their rooms 'late at night and out of nowhere', sources have claimed

According to sources who spoke with the Daily Beast, the film producer was given free rooms and unlimited access at Cipriani's venues. Pictured: The exterior of Socialista in Manhattan

The LAPD is also investigating Weinstein over allegations made by an Italian model that he sexually assaulted her at Mr C in 2013. Pictured: Weinstein, Father Leo O'Donovan, Nicole Kidman and Cipriani in 2003

Weinstein reportedly converted a rooftop suite at Cipriani's Mr C Beverly Hills hotel (pictured) into a 'sex pad' after being given free rein by the billionaire

According to a report from the Daily Beast, Weinstein converted a rooftop suite at Cipriani's Mr C Beverly Hills hotel into a 'sex pad' after being given free rein by the billionaire.

Alongside the Mr C case, Weinstein has also been accused of raping a woman at Cipriani Upstairs in New York City and exposing himself to a woman at his Socialista club in Manhattan.

The LAPD is also investigating Weinstein over allegations made by an Italian model that he sexually assaulted her at Mr C in 2013.

According to sources who spoke with the Daily Beast, the film producer was given free rooms and unlimited access at Cipriani's venues.

One source claimed: 'If they stay there, he had control of the women.'

Discussing the Italian woman's case, the source added: 'He didn't know what room she was staying in and she hadn't even told him that she was staying [there] but somehow he got the front desk to call up from the lobby.

'Next thing she knows, Weinstein is banging on her door.'

He then allegedly 'bullied his way in' and raped her.

Weinstein (pictured in 2014), 66, pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan court earlier this month after being charged with rape and other sexual offenses

Lauren Sivan, a newsreader who accused Weinstein of exposing himself to her, accused Cipriani of being involved in her alleged assault at Socialista - which she called a 'hunting ground' for Weinstein.

Her friend told the Daily Beast she had asked Cipriani if she should go and find Sivan after she disappeared with Weinstein at the nightclub.

Cipriani allegedly laughed and said: 'If it was my friend I would.'

Responding to the claims, a spokesman for Cipriani told Page Six: 'Like many other celebrities and movie industry figures, Mr Weinstein has stayed at Mr. C in Los Angeles on several occasions.

'To our knowledge, no assault or improprieties of any kind were reported at the time of the alleged incidents. As regards any investigation by LAPD, any questions should be directed to the latter.'

Weinstein's attorney Ben Brafman, meanwhile, said the claims were 'offensive'.

He added: 'Simply put, there is no other way to address an "anonymous" allegation other than to do deny it as patently false which Mr. Weinstein does.'